Gas tank locking mechanism



April 9, 1935 T. F. cULLlNAN 1,997,107

GAS TANK LOCKING MECHANISM original Filed Nov. 25, 1953 3 sheets-Sheet 1 y f S J6' Z9 J/ W N April 9, 1935.. T. F. CULLINAN 1,997,107

GAS TANK LOCKING M ECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 25, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 YZ/OMASFUM/NA/y c7\ M a f April 9, 1935. T. F. CULLINAN 1,997,107 y GAS TANK LOCKING MECHANISM original Filed Nov. 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Amd' HMMMJ Patented Apr. 9, 1935 I y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application November 25, 1933, Serial No. 699,715y Renewed February 23, 1935 8 Claims. (Cl. 'l0-90) My invention relates to improvements in gas Figure 6 represents a vertical centralsectional tank locking mechanisms', and refers particularview of a modiiied form of my invention. ly to a mechanism for locking the cover of the Figure 7 represents a view on line 'I-'I of Figfilling vopening of the gas tank of an automobile, ure 6. Y

although the Vinvention is not limited to this use. VFigures 8 and 9' represent sectional views of 5 One object of my invention is the provisionof Ythe locking mechanism showing the locking'bolt a mechanism which will be under the control and in locked position and also in released oriunoperation of the driver of the vehicle and which locked position, respectively. will permit the release of the cover to permit Figure 9 represents a vertical central sectional 10 filling of the gas tank and the locking of the view of another modified form of my invention, l0

cover without requiring the driver to leave the and l' vehicle. Figure 10 represents a perspective view of the Another object of my invention is the provitubular cover member used in this form of -my sion of a mechanism of the character and for the invention.

l5 purpose stated which will not mar orl detract Figure 11 represents a central sectional view l5 from the appearance of the vehicle upon which of another modiiication of my invention, and it is applied and which may be easily attached Figure 12 represents a top plan view of this to vehicles in general use at the time of their form of the mechanism. manufacture, f l VReferring by numeral to the drawings in .which VVAnother' object of my invention is the provithe same numbers of reference denote like parts 20 sion of a cover locking mechanism which will in all the views: y' comprise few parts to insure simplicity, dur The'numeral I designates the gas tank, 2the bility'and inexpensiveness of production; which motor or engine, 3 the manifold and 4, the dash will be'reliable and eiiicient in its operation and board which parts are used in connection with which generally in every particular will prove my mechanism for locking the. cover of said 25 practical, useful and highly desirable. tank.

' With these objects in view'my invention con- Mounted upon the dash board is the three Vway sists in a cover locking mechanism for gas tanks coupling member having its 1 central and interembodying' novel features of construction and mediate nipple 5, receiving the upper end 8, of

combination of parts, substantially as described the pipe or connection 6', and its lower end 1, 30

, and claimed and as shown in the accompanying in communication with the manifold. Y y drawings, in which: From this construction it will be noted that Figure 1 represents aview in side elevation of air is drawn from the pipe 6', to and from the the complete cover locking mechanism showing nipple 5, of the three way coupling to the pair its application to the tank cover, vehicle and of lateral nipples 5, and 5b, of said coupling, and 35 manifold of the engine. y mounted in said centrally arranged inward ex- Fi'gure la represents a detail view showing ythe tending tubular lug 8, formed on the three way lead connections from the cover locking mechacoupling is the rotary member 9, having a key nism to the key controlled mechanism mounted slot I0, to receive the key II, while said member 40v on the dash board of the automobile.V is formed with the reduced round end I2, which 40 Figure 2 represents a vertical central sectional is formed with the passage I3,v leading to the view on an enlarged scale vof the main elements outlet I4, and upon turning the rotary vmember comprising the locking mechanism showing the the outlet I4, is brought into registerwith either cover in normal or locked position. Y e of the lateral nipples 5" or 5b, as will appear .in Figure 3 represents a sectional view taken on due time. 45 the line 3-3 of Figure 2, thecover being open. The said tubular boss or lug is provided upon Figure 4 represents a face view or elevation of its face or upon a fiat ring I5, with a directional the key operated mechanism mounted on the arrow I6, and with the words open, "close", dash with the twin tubes or connections and couand"lock, to indicate to the driverthe position plings. of the outlet I4 in its relation to the said pair 50 Figure 5 represents a horizontal sectional'view of lateral nipples of the three way coupling. of the three way coupling, the three tubes or Fromthis construction it will be noted that connections associated with said coupling and the the single element forms a threek way coupling key operated means mounted in said coupling and also a mounting for the key and the reduced member. end or valve I2, and from the 'nipple 5'* of said 55 coupling leads the pipe or tube I6, while from the nipple 5b, leads the pipe or tube i6', as most clearly shown in Figures l and 1, whose purpose will presently appear.

The gas tank is provided with a neck portion I1, around its filling opening I8and mounted in said neck is the tubular cover carrying member I9, which is retained in place by the seriestion with the nipple 5, and the lockingV bolt is forced into locking position by the spring 3 I, and is also provided with the recess 32, whose purpose will presently appear.

Formed integral with the nipple 23, and at a right angle thereto is the nipple 3 3, which is in communication'withfth'e lower end .5, of the tube 34, and from this construction it will be noted that air drawn into the manifold passes from the tube 6', and from either'of the nipples 5 or 5b, of the three way coupling and from the pipe 29, to allow the atmospheric pressure to act upon the locking bolt 21, or from the tube 34, to

allow atmospheric pressure to act upon the sliding catch 35, forced by spring 36, to move said catch into recess 32, of the locking bolt and retainnsaid vlocking bolt from engagement'with the keeper-26, of the cover 23, Vas shown clearly in VFigure 3.

From the constructiony describedV takenv in con- Y nection with the drawings it will be apparent that` the cover is normally retained in closed and locked position by the locking bolt and that when necessary to illl the tank the locking bolt is iirst withdrawn, then the catch engages the locking bolt and holds it in withdrawn position and allows the tank to be illled, and when this has been accomplished the cover of theL tank is closed, the sliding bolt is released and under the action of the spring moves in position to lock said cover, the catch having been rst withdrawn to allow operation of the locking bolt. j,

The operation and control of the mechanism is effected by the driver without the necessity `of leaving the vehicle, as the connection from the manifold allows the withdrawal of the air and themanipulation of the key allows the said air to be drawn from the connection tothe locking bolt to allow Vatmospheric pressure to-withdraw Vsaid bolt and allow the cover to be raised andV then to the safety catch to retain the locking bolt 21 until the tank hasbeen filled and when thishas been accomplished the keyY lis moved to original position and the ,parts are returned to normal position.

I .In the modified form of my invention shown in 6, 1, 8 and 8', the tubular cover carrying member 31, is provided with a hinged cover 38, which` moves inwardly as shown by the arrow, to allow filling of the tank and a ilat spring 39, is provided to return the cover to closed position, and in this form of my invention the cover carrying 1 member is provided or formed with an extension 40, formed with a chamber 4I, to which leads the air conducting pipe 4| and with an enlarged chamber 42, which houses the working parts of the locking means.

The locking bolt 43, in this form of my invention slides under the cover and is provided with the intermediate plunger or piston 43' which slides in the chamber 42, and is also provided with the hollow tubular portion 44, which forms thel cavity for the impelling spring 45, and said hollow tubular portion is further provided with an opening 46, leading to the port or passage 41, from which the air is exhausted. to allow atmospheric pressure to force the plunger and locking bolt inward to 'unlock the cover, and when the locking bolt iswithdrawn the spring catch 43, engages the plunger and holds the' bolt in position.

It will be apparentv that atmospheric pressure first forces the locking bolt back and then after the tank has been iilled atmospheric pressure eiects'the return of the bolt, and this operation is clearly shown in Figures 8 and 8*.

' In the modied form of my invention shown in Figures 9' and 10,V the cover member 4,9, is provided with a spring acting locking bolt'. which vengages an opening 5l, in the vertically movable 51, is provided at its upper edge with alateral` hollow extension 58, into which the cover 59, may be slid or movedto open position, and in this form a ilat spring 59', is used to return lthe cover and the spring actuated locking bolt 30, is used andoperated in the same manner as in the other Vforms of my invention.

I have shown in the drawings constructions of mechanismsfor locking the cover of the gasoline tank of an automobile which embody what I'believe to be' practical means for leil'ecting the objects of this invention, but I would have it under stood that I reserve the right to make any changes, alterations, or additions to my invention as fall within the scope of my invention as defined bythe claims. l YI claim: 1

1. A gas tank cover locking mechanism, comlzo prising a cover carrying member, a cover mounted on said member. a locking mechanism for retaining saidV cover in locked position, means for withdrawing said cover locking .mechanism means for retaining said locking mechanism in suchwithdrawn position, said lockingand locking mechanism retaining means Vbeing disposed in right angled relation, springs associated'withsaid lockingand retaining means w'return them'to normal position andmeans for releasing said retaining and locking mechanism to allow said locking means to return to locked position.

2. In a gas tank cover locking mechanism, the combination of a gas tank having a neck around its nlling opening, a cover 4.carrying member mounted in said neck, a hinged cover carried by said member, a right'angled extensionon said cover carryingmember forming a pair of nipples, a spring locking bolt in one of said nipples,l a spring safety catch in the other nipple'to hold said locking bolt when withdrawn from locking 3. A gas tank locking mechanism, comprising a tank having a neck around its lling opening, a cover carrying member mounted in said neck, a cover on said member, a locking mechanism in the ycover carrying member for engaging and locking the cover when closed, atmospheric pressure operated means for withdrawing the locking means to allow opening of the cover, and atmospheric pressure operated latching means to hold the said locking means in inoperative position.

4. A gas tank locking mechanism, comprising a tank having a raised neck around its iilling opening,y a cover carrying member fitted in said neck, axcover carried by said member, a cover locking' mechanism disposed on one side of said member at its upper edge, a spring for forcing said locking mechanism into engagement with the cover, atmospheric pressure means for -withdrawing the locking means to allow opening of the cover, and atmospheric pressure operated latching means to hold said cover locking means in inoperative position.

5. A gas tank locking mechanism, comprising a tank having a filling opening, a cover carrying member mounted in said filling opening, a. cover carried by said member, a two Way nipple extending from the said member, a locking bolt in one branch of said nipple, atmospheric pressure operated means for withdrawing said locking bolt to allow opening of the cover, and atmospheric pressure operated means in the other branch of said two way nipple for holding said lockingbolt in withdrawn position while the cover is in open position.

6. A gas tank locking mechanism, comprising a tank having a filling opening, a cover carrying member mounted in said opening, a cover carried by said member, a pair of nipples projecting from said cover carrying member in right angled relation, a cover locking bolt in one of said nipples to engage the underside of the cover and hold it in locked position, a' latch in the other nipple adapted to engage said locking bolt and hold it when withdrawn, and atmospheric pressure operated means for releasing said locking bolt and catch.

'1. A gas tank locking mechanism, comprising a tank having a lling opening, a cover carrying member mounted in said filling opening, a cover carried by said member, a pair oi' nipples carried by said member, a locking bolt in one of said nipples provided with a recess, a spring for normally'forcing said bolt into locking engagement with the cover, a latch `in the other nipple for engaging the recess of the locking bolt when in withdrawn position, a spring for forcing said latch into engagement with said recess, and atmospheric pressure operated means for actuating said locking bolt and latch.

8. In an atmospheric pressure operated lock, an atmospheric pressure operated bolt, an atmospheric pressure operated catch for the bolt, spring means for projecting the bolt, spring means for projecting the catch to effect engagement with said bolt, a conduit through which pressure can be' relieved behind the bolt, a conduit through which pressure can be relieved behind the catch, and a three way key operated valve for connecting either of the two conduits with an evacuating means.

THOMAS F. CULLINAN. 

